Moisture removal apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a moisture removal apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having a top and bottom surface, an outer side wall surrounding a drying zone, the drying zone for receiving a moisture-absorbent material. The moisture absorbent material may include a hygroscopic material, in one non-limiting embodiment. The apparatus may further include a fluid path in fluid communication with at least a portion of the bottom surface and the drying zone, and a movable lid portion for disposal over the drying zone. When the lid is disposed over the drying zone, access to the drying zone occurs via the fluid path from the bottom surface of the housing, such that fluid enters the housing from beneath the housing through the fluid path and is received in the drying zone, wherein moisture is absorbed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different types of moisture removal devices and agents are used to remove moisture. These devices typically include a structure wherein moisture can enter the device from a top surface of the device having openings in its top surface. These devices suffer from difficulty of maintaining dryness of the moisture-absorbing agent, and of the interior of the container. Some devices are awkward in shape and in size, are difficult to transport, and inefficient to store, as most devices take up a substantial amount of space.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a moisture removal apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having a top and bottom surface, an outer side wall surrounding a drying zone, the drying zone for receiving a moisture-absorbent material. The moisture absorbent material may include a hygroscopic material, in one particular non-limiting embodiment. The apparatus may further include a fluid path in fluid communication with at least a portion of the bottom surface and the drying zone, and a movable lid portion for disposal over the drying zone. When the lid is disposed over the drying zone, access to the drying zone occurs via the fluid path from the bottom surface of the housing, such that fluid enters the housing from beneath the housing through the fluid path and is received in the drying zone, wherein moisture is absorbed. In one non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus is used to remove moisture from the air as it passes through the apparatus. The hygroscopic material removes moisture from the air that is received there within.

In another embodiment, a method for removing moisture from an environment is provided including circulating air from the environment through a fluid path extending from a bottom surface of an apparatus for receiving air to a drying zone within the apparatus, wherein the drying zone comprises a material or agent for absorbing moisture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 includes a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus, with a lid portion removed from the housing.

FIG. 2 includes a perspective, bottom side view of an embodiment of the housing.

FIG. 3 shows a partial top side view of an embodiment of the housing.

FIG. 4 provides a partial cutaway view of a portion of an embodiment of the housing, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of an embodiment of the housing.

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A common issue associated with most moisture removal devices is that they are large, difficult to store, take up significant space, and their drying capability is often compromised easily due to the structural features, and the placement of the openings for supplying air through the device.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a moisture removal apparatus is provided allowing fluid to enter the apparatus from beneath the housing, to allow for use in an environment where splashing or other debris may fall onto the top surface of the apparatus, such as on a watercraft, for example. The apparatus may include, in an embodiment, a housing having a top and bottom surface, an outer side wall surrounding a drying zone, the drying zone for receiving a moisture-absorbent material. In a non-limiting embodiment, the drying zone may retain a moisture-absorbent material. The drying zone may be accessible from beneath the housing. The moisture absorbent material may include a hygroscopic material or agent, in one particular, non-limiting embodiment. The apparatus may further include a fluid path in fluid communication with the drying zone, and a movable lid portion for disposal over the drying zone. When the lid is disposed over the drying zone, access to the drying zone occurs via the fluid path from the bottom surface of the housing, such that fluid enters the housing from beneath the housing through the fluid path and is received in the drying zone, wherein moisture is absorbed. In one non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus is used to remove moisture from the air as it passes through the apparatus. In another embodiment, the hygroscopic material removes moisture from the air that comes in contact therewith.

In one embodiment, the hygroscopic material or agent may include any agent used to draw moisture from the air that comes in contact with the material. In some specific, but non-limiting embodiments, the hygroscopic material may include sodium bicarbonate, i.e. baking soda, sodium chloride, honey, glycerin, ethanol, methanol, concentrated sulfuric acid, among others generally known in the art. Hygroscopic agents or material typically attract and hold fluid molecules from the environment surrounding, via absorption or adsorption. In some non-limiting embodiments herein, the terms “hygroscopic material” and “hygroscopic agent” may be used interchangeably.

In practicing the invention, those skilled in art would appreciate that the fluid that is communicated between areas of the device would typically be water vapor, air, or air having a moisture conent. While water in liquid form could flow via fluid communication, the device is not intended to be submerged in water in liquid form.

In one embodiment, the invention pertains to a moisture removal apparatus.

In a more specific embodiment, the invention includes a moisture removal apparatus comprising a lid, wherein the apparatus is configured to store items thereon, while also removing moisture from an environment. In one particular, nonlimiting embodiment, the dimensions of the housing include a housing wherein the height is smaller than the length and/or width, serving to increase the surface area of the apparatus and enhance the drying capability of the apparatus, while preventing further obstruction to the area in which the apparatus is stored due to the low profile of the apparatus. In a further non-limiting embodiment, multiple apparatuses of those described herein may be associated with one another or physically attached to one another in another, more specific embodiment, so as to provide an extended area for moisture absorption.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a moisture removal apparatus embodiment 100 including a movable lid portion 110 for placement on a housing 112. The lid portion is configured to fit onto the housing 112 by friction fit, or by an interactivity between interfacing tabs 110 a on the lid portion 110 and an interfacing portion 111 on the housing 112, in one non-limiting embodiment. The housing 112 comprises a top surface 112 a and a bottom surface 112 b, and an outer side wall 114, which may provide a perimeter around a drying zone 116 of the apparatus, in one non-limiting embodiment. In one non-limiting embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the top surface comprises a solid surface, preventing access to the inside of the apparatus from the top surface. The top surface may be formed of a rigid material so as to provide a stable structure to provide for stacking objects on top of the apparatus for storage, for example. The structural integrity of the apparatus 100 is supported by the interactivity between the outer side walls 114 (which also extend through the center of the device as shown in FIG. 1) and the underside of the lid portion 110, when the lid portion 110 is placed thereon. The support afforded by the outer side walls 114 on the underside of the lid portion 110 provides an ability to place objects, even objects carrying substantial weight on the apparatus 100 for storage, or the like. In one example, the apparatus may support a weight of up to 120 pounds. In another example, the apparatus may support a weight of up to 250 pounds. Other embodiments may support an even greater load. Multiple apparatuses 100 may be joined side-by-side such that the outer side walls 114 of each connecting apparatus 100 contact one another, to form an elongated moisture absorbent apparatus. In one, nonlimiting embodiment, the apparatuses may be interlocked with one another along their sides, or may be stacked on top of one another, in another non-limiting embodiment. enabling enhanced moisture to be absorbed in an area in which the apparatus is placed, in part due to the increase in absorbable surface area of each apparatus by way of the increased number of drying zones. Due to the structural features of the device embodiments, as described herein, for example, the apparatus enables quicker, more efficient absorption of moisture in the air. This is a result of, in part, maximizing the surface area of the apparatus (and the drying zone), and minimizing the vertical height of the apparatus to provide an effective and efficient moisture absorbing apparatus.

In some non-limiting embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the drying zone 116 may include one or more drying wells 118 for receiving a hygroscopic material, in one non-limiting embodiment. The drying wells 118 may be surrounded by the outer side wall 114, in one example, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein when the lid portion 110 is placed on the housing 112, it may contact the outer side wall 114 of the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 may further include inner side walls 120, which may surround the drying wells 118. Between the inner side walls 120 and the outer side walls 114 of the housing, a gap 122 may be provided. In the gap 122, between the inner and outer side walls 120, 114, one or more spacers 124 may be disposed, in a non-limiting embodiment. In one further, non-limiting embodiment, the inner side wall 120 may include one or more apertures 185 providing a fluid path for fluid communication between the drying wells 118 and the bottom surface of the housing 112 b. This embodiment including the one or more apertures 185 may be provided in addition to, or as an alternative to the gap 122, both of which are depicted in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of a housing 112 embodiment of the apparatus 100, wherein a view of the bottom surface of the housing 112 b is provided. A number of legs 126 are shown, wherein the legs 126 are used to prop the housing 112 off of the surface upon which the apparatus 100 rests during use. The legs 126 allow fluid communication from the bottom surface 112 b of the housing of the apparatus 100, through the gaps 122 and into the drying zone 116 (shown in FIG. 1), or drying wells 118 (shown in FIG. 1) of the drying zone 116, such that moisture can be drawn out of the fluid that passes therethrough.

FIG. 3 provides a top perspective view of the housing 112 with the lid portion 110 removed, showing the outer side wall 114, the inner side wall 120, the gap 122 disposed there between, providing a fluid path. The spacers 124 between the inner and outer side walls 120, 114, and the drying wells 118.

FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of the housing 112 shown in FIG. 1, illustrating an embodiment of the apparatus 100, showing only two drying wells 118, surrounded by an inner side wall 120 and an outer side wall 114, with spacers 124 disposed therebetween.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus 100 showing only the housing 110 including the outer side wall 114 forming a perimeter around the drying zone including drying wells 118. The inner side walls 120 surrounding each individual drying well 120 are also shown, with spacers 124 disposed between the inner and outer side walls 120, 114. Multiple legs 126 are shown extending from the bottom portion of the housing 112 b. The varying heights of the outer side wall 114 and the inner side wall 120 are visible in FIG. 5, wherein the inner side wall 120 has a smaller height than the outer side wall 114, allowing fluid communication through the gap 122, from a bottom surface 112 b of the housing 112, allowing moisture to be removed from fluid which enters the housing 112 by way of the drying wells 118.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the housing 112 in an embodiment 100 wherein the lid 110 (not shown in FIG. 6) has been removed. The drying wells 118 of the drying zone are shown. The inner side walls 120 bordering the drying wells 118 may be used to contain the moisture-absorbing material held therein, in one non-limiting embodiment. Spacers between the outer side walls 114 and inner side walls 120 are shown. The gaps 122 disposed between the inner and outer side walls 120, 114, allowing fluid flow through the apparatus are also visible in FIG. 6.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be used to remove moisture from the air in a closet, on watercraft, or in other areas where space is limited. Due to its dimensions, the increased surface area of the housing, and in particular, of the drying wells 118 provides an efficient moisture removal apparatus, while maintaining an unobtrusive size and shape. In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be structured such that when the lid portion 110 is placed on the housing 112, other objects may be stacked on top of the apparatus. Another benefit of the apparatus 100 embodiments described herein is that fluid flow occurs from beneath the housing 112, so when in use, if for example, water splashes on top of the apparatus (i.e., when the apparatus is used on a watercraft, for example), the apparatus will continue to function due to the openings being accessible from the bottom surface of the housing.

The dimensions of the apparatus embodiments described herein may vary; however, in one non-limiting embodiment, a length of the housing may include a range of 2-25 inches. In another embodiment, a width of the housing may include a range of 2-25 inches. In a non-limiting embodiment, a height of the housing may include a range of 0.5-24 inches.

The disclosures of the cited patent documents, publications and references are incorporated herein in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the teachings herein. It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and the scope of the appended claims 

1. A moisture removal apparatus, comprising: a housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer side wall surrounding a drying zone, the drying zone for receiving a moisture-absorbent material; a fluid path in fluid communication with at least a portion of the bottom surface and the drying zone; and a movable lid portion for disposal over the drying zone, wherein when the lid is disposed over the drying zone, access to the drying zone occurs via the fluid path from the bottom surface of the housing.
 2. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drying zone comprises one or more drying wells.
 3. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more legs extending from the bottom surface.
 4. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an inner side wall surrounding each of the one or more drying wells.
 5. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 4, wherein a gap is disposed between the inner side wall and outer side wall.
 6. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fluid conduit comprises one or more access portals disposed along the bottom surface that are in fluid communication with the gap.
 7. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer side wall defines a perimeter of the housing.
 8. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 4, further comprising one or more spacers extending between the inner side wall and the outer side wall.
 9. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 2, wherein the drying zone comprises two or more drying wells, and wherein a portion of the outer wall extends between the two or more drying wells.
 10. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner side wall comprises a first height and the outer side wall comprises a second height, wherein the first height is less than the second height.
 11. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length and/or width of the housing is at least twice the height of the housing.
 12. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length of the housing comprises a range of 2-15 inches.
 13. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of the housing comprises a range of 2-15 inches.
 14. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height of the housing comprises a range of 0.5 inch-24 inches.
 15. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 2, wherein a moisture absorbing material is disposed in one or more of the one or more drying wells.
 16. A method for removing moisture from an environment, the method comprising: circulating air from the environment through a fluid path extending from a bottom surface of an apparatus for receiving air to a drying zone within the apparatus, wherein the drying zone comprises a material for absorbing moisture.
 17. A moisture removal apparatus, comprising: a housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer side wall surrounding a drying zone, and an inner side wall, the drying zone comprising one or more drying wells for receiving a moisture-absorbent material; a fluid path in fluid communication with a portion of the bottom surface and the drying well(s), the fluid path disposed between the outer side wall and inner side wall; a movable lid portion for disposal over the drying zone, wherein when the lid is disposed over the drying zone, access to the drying wells occurs via the fluid path from a bottom surface of the housing, such that moisture is absorbed from fluid as it enters the drying zone.
 18. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner side wall comprises one or more apertures, and wherein the fluid path is in fluid communication with a portion of the bottom surface and the drying zone via the one or more apertures in the inner side wall.
 19. The moisture removal apparatus of claim 17, wherein the inner side wall comprises one or more apertures, and wherein a fluid path is in fluid communication with the drying wells via the one or more apertures. 